Fire Stories

Fire stories from the national parks highlight events, incidents, and the like, associated with fire and fuels management, as well as fire education, technology, partnerships, and more. Stories highlight work related to Department of the Interior initiatives as well as local and regional initiatives.

Fire Management Staff Helps Rebuild Fences

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, California

On a warm fall day in November 2006 Whiskeytown National Recreation Area staff, French Gulch Volunteer Fire Department, French Gulch Elementary School, the Upper Clear Creek Resource Management Group, North American Wilderness Academy and community members of French Gulch, came together to build a fence.

On August 14, 2004 the French Fire started in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area and entered into the small town of French Gulch, burning 13,000 acres and destroying 26 homes and 1 historic building. The French Gulch County Park also suffered damage; bathrooms were destroyed as well as numerous trees and the fence surrounding the park. The county rebuilt the bathrooms and donated money to buy supplies to build the fence. Through the efforts of the Fire Safe Council, French Gulch Upper Clear Creek Resource Management Group, a work day was coordinated to build the fence. Over 25 people ranging in age from 10 to 75 years of age came together to re-build the split cedar rail fence and through everyone's efforts it was put up in six hours. After the hard work was done, the French Gulch Volunteer Fire Department hosted a BBQ.

It is through groups working together that so much gets accomplished. The National Park Service is proud to work with our local partners and neighbors.